The Road Safety Authority is advising road users to take extra care as status orange and yellow rain warnings come into effect across the country.
A status orange rain warning has been issued for Cork and Waterford from Thursday afternoon until Friday evening, with “persistent and heavy rainfall” likely.
The warning comes into effect from 4pm on Thursday and will remain in place until 6pm on Friday.
A status yellow rain warning for Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow and Wexford will be in effect from 6pm today until 6pm tomorrow.
Met Éireann says we can expect persistent and sometimes heavy rainfall which may cause localised flooding in the affected counties. The conditions will also lead to poor visibility on roads and difficult travel conditions.
Drivers are being urged to slow down and allow greater breaking distance between them and the vehicle in front in the wet conditions.
If roads are flooded motorists are advised to find another route and not to attempt to drive through it as the water could be deeper than it appears.
Pedestrians are reminded to walk on the right handside of the road where no footpaths are available and to wear high visibility clothes if possible.
Cyclists should ensure that they and their bikes are visible to other road users as visiblity is greatly reduced in bad weather conditions.
⚠️Status Orange – Rain warning for Cork, Waterford
From this afternoon (Thursday) to Friday evening, persistent and heavy rain will lead to localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions ☔️
⏰Valid: 16:00 Thursday 14/09/2023 to 18:00 Friday 15/09/2023 pic.twitter.com/RmSrNhIdxq
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) September 14, 2023
David Joyce, director of services at Cork City Council, said they are preparing for 15 millimetres of rain over the next 24 hours.
“It’s actually a longer event than the warning but unlike previous rain events,” Mr Joyce said.
“It’s not going to be cloud-burst type events where there’s heavy rain in localised areas, this is going to be consistent and persistent rain over that 24-hour period.”
Rebecca Cantwell from Met Éireann says rain will start building in the coming hours “That rain will be persistent today, overnight and into tomorrow, she said.
“And the persistence of that rain which will be heavier claims will lead to localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult traveling conditions.”